title: Efficacy and safety of S-1 in patients with metastatic breast cancer: retrospective review in a single institution.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is extremely difficult to bring about a complete cure of metastatic breast cancer: the purpose of treatment is to prolong the patient's survival while maintaining their quality of life (QOL). The current retrospective study was conducted to find whether S-1, an orally administered 5-FU agent, can produce a therapeutic result in patients with recurrent metastatic breast cancer while maintaining their QOL.
  
  
  METHODS
  Among the patients who were diagnosed at our institution to have recurrent metastatic breast cancer between November 2001 and December 2008, those who were treated with S-1 were selected and their records retrospectively reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis was conducted on 33 patients. The median number of regimens that these patients underwent was 2 (range 0-6). The overall response rate (ORR), clinical benefit rate (CBR), median time to treatment failure and overall survival were 30%, 42%, 152 days and 338 days, respectively. Among the 11 patients who were treated with S-1 in the first or the second line, ORR and CBR were 45.5 and 63.6%, respectively. Toxicity more than grade 3, leucopenia, neutropenia diarrhea, mucositis, and hand-foot syndrome were found in only 3%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  S-1 is well-tolerated by patients, promising a therapy while maintaining their QOL. When applied in the early stage of a disease in particular, the agent promises a very effective anti-tumor effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Breast Oncology, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center, Matsuyama, Japan. hfumikat@shikoku-cc.go.jp
authors.forename: Fumikata
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.forename: Sachiko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kiyoto
authors.forename: Mina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Takabatake
authors.forename: Seiki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takashima
authors.forename: Kenjiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aogi
authors.forename: Shozo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ohsumi
authors.forename: Shigemitsu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takashima
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D010094:Oxonic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D005641:Tegafur / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D004338:Drug Combinations; C079198:S 1 (combination); D005641:Tegafur; D010094:Oxonic Acid